cy on Fri, 18th Dec 2009 3:45 pm 

there is no malay-muslim personnel in armour units in singapore too. looks like LKY is too paranoid abt his past unhappy experience and extrapolate it till now.

http://vonhayek.blogspot.com/ on Fri, 18th Dec 2009 3:57 pm 

Singapore is probably the only multi-racial country in the developed world that students are discouraged from taking the language of their fellow neighbours, but are allowed to opt for French, German or Japs.

All students in multi-racial Switzerland, Luxembourg are taught languages of their fellow country man.

This really shows that PAP is practicing some sort of hidden racial policy.

Singapore is worse in racial policy than Israel, at least down there Israel, many Druze Muslim and Bedouin Muslim volunteer fighting their own folks to defend the Jew. Being Muslim do not mean they are potential traitors.

xxxzzzxxx on Fri, 18th Dec 2009 4:39 pm 

Hi Hurr, I am really sorry that you feel like a minority in Singapore, this shouldn’t be happening; I have grew up living in peace with my Muslim, Hindu & Buddhist friends & neighbours. Never ever once have I thought of them as another race & never ever once that I find them much different from me. I am a Catholic & have served my NS & have finished my Reservist & I am proud to say that I would fight side by side with any Singaporean. I guess respect is earned & doesn’t come instantly once one gets a PHD certificate like most scholars think!!

In a nutshell, I would rather be led in battle by a caring & honest leader & I don’t even bothered if his name is Ali, Ravi, de Siva or Ah Hock!! I think my chance of living will be greater than being led by some scholar that only know how to conduct war games in an air-conditioned room in front of a TV screen!! BTW, I have to confess that I do crack some racial jokes but I have never had any ill intent towards any of my Singaporean brudders. .

UD on Fri, 18th Dec 2009 6:31 pm 

Gosh, the incidents detailed in the article are very sad and discouraging. I now understand why so many of malays also display racist tendencies themselves. Hatred breeds hatred, and the prejudiced more often than not develop their own retaliatory prejudices.

Tony Pang on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 3:00 am 

@Hurr Riyahi

Don’t you know – racism is very much a part in ALL human societies.

If you are not a member of the masses, then you are Not (i.e. the non-muslims in Malaysia, the muslims in China, the Jews in Europe, the “coloured” in England, the “asians” in Australia)… mate, i can go on forever.

Look at the bright side, at least we are NOT that extreme –

[i.e. your children can still study in the local universities, as long as their grades qualify and vacancies are still around (unlike the Malaysian Chinese - who has a set racial quota IMPOSED onto them in the Malaysian government universities)]

Believe me…. it could be a whole lot more worse.

Count your blessings.
As-Salāmu `Alaykum
=-)

BEWARE of STRANGERS on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 5:00 am 

the writer highlighted some serious considerations.
i have no doubt that PRCs or Pakistanis n such have no loyalties for singapore…the only come here for the “royalties”,that is, money!
just take a hard look @ PRC businessmen,they can even sell out their own people,babies for that matter.with “poison milk” or that Lunar New Year “Rabbit candies”…there are more other true stories…not forgetting they could even BETRAY their own family when they were little kiddy “red army”?
Look @ the Pakistanis,they too die die go for MONEY!
They are exposed so much to “killing and reeling”,you think they care about whether singapore still exists “tomorrow”.
in the worse case scenario,they would probably betray singapore than their war=torn country…they are surrounded and bombarded day in day out by TERRORISTS so much so that not only are they immnuned but they are “in tuned”?
so,no matter how no matter what,muslims or not,our own locals
will most likely stand up for singapore.
but what can we say if some smart chaps decide that locals are
neither talented,productive or most of all “pro-PAP”?
YES!You think after all these SH@TS,I would still hand them my
ar$e for them to keep “buttering”;if so,i must be brain-dead?

ohmysingapore on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 7:44 am 

Yes, I am afraid this does happen and personally, I too have a lot of anecdotal stories of this disparity.

One of my well-qualified friends was refused a role within SingTel because she was a Malay. It is SingTel’s loss since she moved on to bigger and greater things and now a senior VP at Credit Suisse.

Another was told point blank he would not get the role because he was a Malay whilst another was informed she could not get a nursing role in a hospital because she was wearing a tudung/hijab. It is a HR decision apparently because they felt that the head covering will interfere with her nursing work and is a safety issue. Strange that – because there are plenty of Muslim women with hijab working in Australian hospitals.

One that I am still reeling with shock is that Muslim female journalists wearing a hijab/head covering are not allowed to appear on TV whilst doing her report. She has to do her piece off-camera. And this is on Malay channels such as Suria as well.

singaporeobserver on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 8:58 am 

tony pang: “Believe me…. it could be a whole lot more worse.
Count your blessings.”

what blessings? this commentor is trying to compare the marginalisation of minorities here in Singapore with marginalisation of minorities outside Singapore

1) firstly what do you know about the extent of marginalisation that minorities in Singapore go through? what you see, know and believe is not reflective of the total extent. what makes you think the singapore minorities do not suffer worse than malaysian chinese? in malaysia you have explicit information and explicit methods of marginalisation. in singapore you have hardly much information on what happens as minorities fear to speak out and the methods of marginalisation are implicit.

2) even relative sense if the marginalisation of singapore minorities “can be worse”, in absolute sense, the minorities are already suffering a lot, and what you say simply imply “please as you suffer, feel good you are not suffering more” i think that will be so consoling to the minorities.

change in security policy on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 9:18 am 

what the writer rightfully points out is that Singapore needs to overhaul its security clearance procedures….

Sure Gone Case on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 11:24 am 

I can relate to this article.In the early 70s in SAF.We were the 1st Dec batch in SAFTI.All HSC(”A”) level.BMT was tough.Every one of us stood at attention for posting in the huge parade square after passing out.Almost all posted to section leaders course.I waited for hours in the square along with a few others.No posting.We were all rounded up.There were Malays,Indians ,Arab and Chinese.When our names were called ,only than we realized we were all Muslims.

They called us LOBO platoon.Our job was to clean toilets and carry cupboards.We did that for some months.Still no posting.Meanwhile some left to study Medicine(medical students were exempted from NS than)We sought for reasons.No reasons were given.At that age we felt unwanted and disillusioned as we saw our fellow Chinese classmates treated above us.

Education was not an issue.Neither was physical fitness as some amongst us shone in PT.Than it must have been our religion.

PoorSGP on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 10:45 pm 

The Pledge
The words of the National Pledge are:

We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language and religion.
To build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation

Malay original
Kami, warganegara Singapura,
sebagai rakyat yang bersatu padu,
tidak kira apa bangsa, bahasa, atau ugama,
berikrar untuk membina suatu masyarakat yang demokratik,
berdasarkan kepada keadilan dan persamaan
untuk mencapai kebahagiaan,
kemakmuran dan kemajuan bagi negara kami.

Chinese translation
我们是新加坡公民，
誓愿不分种族、言语、宗教，
团结一致，
建设公正平等
的民主社会，
并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步，
共同努力。

Tamil translation
சிங்கப்பூர் குடிமக்களாகிய நாம் இனம்,மொழி,மதம்
ஆகிய வேற்றுமைகளை மறந்து ஒன்றுபட்டு,நம் நாடு
மகிழ்ச்சி,வளம்,முன்னேற்றம் ஆகியவற்றை அடையும்
வண்ணம் சமத்துவத்தையும்,நீதியையும்
அடிப்படையாக கொண்ட ஜனாயக
சமுதாயத்தை உருவாக்குவதற்கு
உறுதி மேற்கொள்வோ!

BarelyAlive on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 11:16 pm 

Sad. While the citizens although of different races generally get along well together, government and government-linked agencies practices some level of racism and giving stupid reasons for rejecting a candidate of minority race. While foreigners are welcome like heroes, minority citizens are treated like dirt? Such a shame. I’m for Equality for all SIngapore citizens!

humpty dumpty on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 10:11 am 

In today shitty times there is news about foreigners serving NS.Foreigners whose childhood and soul linked to their motherlands are do not pose risk it implies.But local born Muslims ,most of whom are natives to this land , are deemed a risk to our security mah?

Dr Syed Alwi on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 12:46 pm 

I would like to ask all Singaporean Muslims the following question :

Are you – as a Singaporean Muslim – prepared to uphold the political interests of the Non-Muslim majority – even if it means hurting Muslims elsewhere ?

Look – upholding the political interests of the Non-Muslim majority – may put a Muslim in a very delicate situation. The Fort Hood incident comes to mind. The American people are not happy with their Muslim minority. In Europe – the integration of Muslims is being vigorously debated. It would not surprise me one bit – if European countries actually decide to follow Singapore’s example when dealing with its Muslim minorities.

At the end of the day – the bottomline is the ability to uphold the political interests of the Non-Muslim majority. So far – the European and American examples have only served to confirm the PAP’s beliefs.

The Muslim world must learn to understand that patriotism to a Non-Muslim country – means that a Muslim must place Non-Muslim interests ahead of the Muslim Ummah. And for a conservative Muslim – that can be very difficult to do. Perhaps only Liberal Muslims can integrate well into a Non-Muslim society.

Regards
Dr Syed Alwi

Ask intelligently, answer intelligently on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 3:43 pm 

dr.syed alwi :I would like to ask all Singaporean Muslims the following question :Are you – as a Singaporean Muslim – prepared to uphold the political interests of the Non-Muslim majority – even if it means hurting Muslims elsewhere ?

i sometimes wonder if you really have a Phd. perhaps if you should, stick to the area where you trained in rather than trying to talk in other areas cos you do more harm than good.

there are two bottom line questions –

firstly as muslims are singapore muslims willing to protect the country. syed alwi (or doctor syed alwi as he likes to call himself) ignored asking this question. singapore muslims for the last 180 years have defended singapore in times of war and conflicts. even in moments of crisis that threatens limb and life, Muslim officers in SCDF and Star Team have risked their lives in so many ways to protect life and property. so there is no question that an average Singapore Muslim will protect his country and his non-Muslim people.

secondly should a conflict involve Muslims on the other side, will Muslims pull the trigger? it is immaterial if it is Muslims or non-Muslims, the consideration is what is the conflict about, whether whatever what one has to do is just and fair. even in America, the people are divided over US action into Iraq and Afghanistan. There are non-Muslim soldiers who have deserted the US army. There are also thousands of Muslim soldiers still engaged in the US army. things are not as simplistic as Syed Alwi like to make it look like. his simplistic conclusions are also retarded.

he claims only liberal Muslims can integrate well into non-Muslim society. all the JI terrorists in Singapore were liberal Muslims at their earlier point in life till they were started practicing the religion during which they having had no proper education in religion got sway by radical teachings.

now pose those two questions above and look at it in terms of foreigners. Can foreigners stand up to protect Singapore? Will they send their sons to become policemen, military, SCDF officers. of course not. they just want the citizenship. they want to make lots of money and should opportunities arise elsewhere they will go.

You can pose the same question that Dr.Alwi asked whether foreigners in the army will shoot their own country men if war breaks out between Singapore and their country. i wont generalise an answer to that stupidly as dr.alwi.

but there are greater risks with foreigners in our army or ministries. they can leak IP, sensitive and secret information, pass on contacts etc to people in their own countries.

syed alwi likes to go on this long tirade in the singapore blogs. i urge him not to reply to this. if he does, it just shows what an idiot he can be and i am not going to reply after this anyway.

Sure Gone Case on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 4:26 pm 

@ Dr.Syed Alwi,Do not catch your drivel,

What is meant by the political interest of non-Muslims?care to elaborate.

I spent much time reading about the history of Singapore written by 3 Englishmen in 1912.An account of SG between 1818 to 1912.The writers marveled at the unity and tolerance of 3 races celebrating their festivals ,religious or otherwise in Singapore.The only serious riots were between Hokkien clan and Teochew clan sometimes in 1854,apart from the mutiny by ethnic Indian sepoys(troops).So where and when did this political interest of non-Muslim Singaporeans arose which would contradict Singaporean Muslims?Even during the period of Malaya Emergency in the 50s and 60s ; the common enemy were communists.Communists in that era were largely ethnic Chinese.Even than no body talked of political interest of ethnic Chinese equating to communism.They were world apart.

Just as the political interest of Iraqis does not tantamount to the political interests of the global Muslims.Though the majority of Muslims may not agree with the conduct of Bush administration in Iraqi soil.As much the current Obama administration or the majority of the global village who did not agree with the political interest of the Bush & Blair duo.

Dr Syed Alwi on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 7:26 pm 

Dear People,

1) Singapore is NOT surrounded by Chinese, Japanese nor American people. Singapore is surrounded by Malay-Muslim countries who have – over the years – sometimes proven hostile to Chinese-majority Singapore.

2) The immediate threat facing Singapore comes from our Malay-Muslim neighbours.

3) Therefore the question of Malay-Muslim loyalty comes to mind.

4) Which comes first for a Singaporean Muslim ? Islam or Singapore ?

5) By the way – stop making personal attacks and simply address the issue at hand.

Regards
Dr Syed Alwi

Clement Tan on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 7:46 pm 

“1) Singapore is NOT surrounded by Chinese, Japanese ”

Didn’t deter Japan from invading Singapore anyway.

Aren’t Indonesia and Malaysia both Malay Muslim countries with a history of tension with each other as well since Konfrontasi?

PeterL on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 8:00 pm 

We are a little RED DOT surrounded by a sea of green as quoted by President Habibie thank God he is gone.
In jest Mahathir talk about bombing Singapore,”many a truth is spoken in jest” thank God he step down but is not GONE.

All we seek is to live in peace with our neighbours,I have no doubt the loyalty of Malay Singaporeans will be steadfast when the time arrive but that may seem remote in the early years of Independence when our Singapore Malay officers decide to stay in Malaysia after separation.That is HIstory and should remain as History.
Today our Singaporean Malays are truly proud Singaporeans if not they would have crossed the causeway in droves with the carrot being dangled by Mahathir and the NEP.

I choked with a lump in my throat not too long ago in KL train station when a group of Malay boys and girls were chattering in English, a Caucasian couple complemented them for their command of English.

In a chorus they replied ” WE ARE SINGPOREANS ” if that does not touch your heart THAN YOU HAVE NO HEART AT ALL.

Dr Syed Alwi on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 8:46 pm 

Dear Clement Tan,

Yes – but by and large – Malaysians and Indonesians view Singapore as a Chinese threat ; a red dot in their green sea. They do not like us. Period.

Now how is ANY Government in Singapore – to respond to this ? Look at what is happening in America and Europe today. They have very big problems with their Muslim minorities. The fact remains that a Conservative Muslim will place the interests of the Muslim Ummah over and above national interests. It is only the Liberal Muslim who can adapt and integrate well into a Non-Muslim society. Thats the harsh reality we face.

Regards
Dr Syed Alwi

Sure Gone Case on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 10:18 pm 

@ Syed Alwi.Obviously you are no Muslim or a Dr.Syed.

I had clearly pointed out the existence of Chinese in Singapore 200 years ago.Malays as Muslims had never fought the Chinese than.Why now?In fact the biggest tension and riots recorded was among the Chinese settlers themselves in 1854.So says recorded history.

Most importantly Indonesia and Malaysia has more than 5 times of ethnic Chinese as their population than SG.The well to do among them have proporty in Singapore but never takes up SG citizenship.Why?…why do you need to worry for them when they themselves make a choice of their own.

It is people like you who place ethnic Chinese Indonesians and Malaysians in an uncomfortable position.Because you are telling our neighboring countries that Singapore is nothing but a Chinese outpost.Is it?

Taiwan ,a Chinese nation,is surrounded by Chinese. Dd that spare them from a possible invasion by China?In fact as I had pointed out in my previous post since the communists in SG and Malaya were entirely Chinese; should that have been an excuse to send ethnic Chinese back to China?

True Singaporean on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 11:47 pm 

I am amazed and amused,really.Why?Because ethnicity and religion is used as an argument against nationhood for Singapore.If that is so Singapore would never have been a nation.I would tell you now why.

Nations such as US, unlike some countries in Europe ,could not claim ethnicity purely for it’s formation of nationhood.Even than culture played a big part.It was the white Christian culture that kept the African Americans becoming fully Americanized in US prior to the 50s.Australia too had that problem prior to the 60s when whites only immigration policy applied .Which kept Asians away from Australia’s shores.Now we see a replay of this mentality in Europe.Europe had been largely only Europeans for centuries.Till the arrivals of immigrants such as the Muslims in it’s fold.Thus it’s the hiccup of a non acceptance of foreign culture and foreign religions such as Islam which haunts Europe today.

How does this provide proof of Singapore ’s enemyity with its largely Muslim neighboring countries I wonder.Not really.Because Malays and Muslims existed in Singapore long before the arrivals of any migrants in Singapore.Likewise with all our neighboring countries too.And since because Singapore and the Malay Archipelago had been sort of a go between the trade routes of China and India; Chinese/Indians and their culture as well as their religions had never been a problem for Singapore for centuries.

So why this boogey man of Chinese vs Malays in Singapore politics of now?It all has to do with unequal income distribution between these two.Thus all the tension.Nothing to do with their culture or religion.Such tension would always exist so long as there is an unequal distribution of wealth.The very same problem as FT vs Locals as we see now in Singapore.Singaporeans would have no problem with foreigners as their construction workers only. They would not compete with us for jobs and housing.

But since the new foreigners are biting into the same share of our economy which otherwise belongs to locals; we have a problem.

So stop playing this racial and religious card.
So,stop playing this racial and religious card.

Darth Vader on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 12:33 am 

Many years ago, a senior military officer said that Malay Muslims can never rise to the top ranks of the SAF because they cannot be trusted to fight other Malay Muslims. That senior officer, who in other countries would have immediately received a dishonorable discharge for publicly demonstrating bigotry, has since retired from the army and had gone into national politics. Unfortunately, I can’t remember who it was.

Can anyone here remind us who that officer was?

Tired of Syed Alwi rhetoric on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 7:48 am 

Malaysia and Indonesia are muslim countries. Singapore has sizeable Muslim population. When Sukarno declared war on Malaysia and Singapore did the Muslims in Malaysia and Singapore run and hide?

People like Syed Alwi are the typical apologists you find in the PAP camp who try to portray themselves as everyone’s harmless friend and that the other Muslims or Malays are the foes. If you read Syed Alwi’s rhetoric in all the blogs, its clear, this guy is up to no good but sow discord and divisions through Bush kinda rhetoric.

Liberal Muslims are the real threat on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 7:56 am 

as one of the post earlier pointed out the JI members arrested in singapore were Liberal Muslims before they became radicals. so i also dont understand what rubbish syed alwi is talking when he say liberal muslims are the promise.

even Osama was a liberal Muslim who drank and womanised in liberal culture of Lebanon before he became a radical

obviously syed alwi has not watched any documentary on the 19 hijackers of sept 11. they were all liberal muslims until they became radicals.

the list goes on…. security analysts have written much on this issue on how liberal muslims pose the greatest threat because of their lack of knowledge of spirituality since young, many of them turn to radicalism and extremism when they decide to take interest in religion. syed alwi is proposing harm than solutions.

syed alwi, go to the malaysian blogs on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 7:58 am 

syed alwi, save us your rhetoric and crap. go to the malaysian blogs where you love to hang around… i am sure you will find many friends there… we dont need you here….

Dr Syed Alwi on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 12:32 pm 

Dear People,

I am not disheartened by your hostility. What I say is bitter medicine and quite real and true. For all your rejection – you just wait and see what happens to America and Europe. Deny truth at your own peril. Sooner or later – you will wake up to realize that

1) The Islamic Resurgence is a NEW phenomena. Malays of the pre-1970’s era were NOT very Islamically attached to begin with.

2) I quote Mahathir – “those who say – forget race and religion – are either naives or knaves”

3) I myself have disagreements with the PAP regarding the way they handle money and the way they handle foreign talents. But on the issue of Malay-Muslims – I think the PAP are correct. Look – study the situation in Europe and America.

Ask yourself this question – when will a conservative Muslim society put in a Non-Muslim leader ? Will Malaysia and Indonesia ever have a Non-Muslim PM or President ? And so on.

These are not nice things to hear or talk about. But hear it you must. Reject it at your own peril. Open your eyes and see whats happening around the world. Open your mind. Think. And good luck.

Unlike the hostility that I receive – I shall reply with a hope that one day – you can see beyond narrow interests.

Regards
Dr Syed Alwi

Dr Syed Alwi on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 12:37 pm 

Oh by the way – I forgot to ask another couple of questions.
Suppose you have a Conservative Malay-Muslim in a leadership position

1) Will he be subject to external pressure from Muslim countries to act in ways that benefit the Muslim Ummah at the expense of Non-Muslim Singapore ?

2) Will he base his decisions on his Islam-inspired conscience ? Do you want a Muslim leader who will promote Islamism in Singapore ?

Answer these two questions honestly first !

Regards
Dr Syed Alwi

Dr Syed Alwi on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 1:35 pm 

And Oooopppsss ! I have another 2 questions for you all.

1) Do Conservative Muslims share the same values, world-view and aspirations – as the Chinese Non-Muslim majority in Singapore ?

2) And if not – then do you think that a Conservative Muslim can defend, uphold and promote Non-Muslim interests in Singapore ?

These are tough questions to deal with. Perhaps that is why my detractors resort to personal attacks instead of honestly analysing these tough questions !

Regards
Dr Syed Alwi

PeterL on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 2:33 pm 

Dr. Syed Alwi-

I am truly amazed at your stand and steadfastness.

I hailed from an era when all of us are colour blind, my childhood friends Malay ,Indians and Eurasians still get together for teh tarik and kopi o.
What we reflect on are the times of our youths except the riots of 64 and to a lesser extend 69 when we are no longer in Malaysia which was more political than anything else least of all racial.
At no time do we see each other as Chinese,Malay,Indian or Eurasians but FRIENDS and fellow Singaporean.
I sincerely believe that although we are totally surrounded by muslim nations,majority of Singapore Malays are rational and accept their fellow Singaporeans as brothers.There will always be pockets of disenchanted and disillusioned Chinese, Malays and Indians, their raving and ranting will always be around to seek attention,I wish them well and hope they will eventually find their paradise,heaven or Utopia if not here than wherever they feel they are welcome but definitely not Singapore.

Dr.Syed Alwi thank you for being a Singaporean.

Dr Syed Alwi on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 5:52 pm 

Dear PeterL,

You come from the 1960’s – before the arrival of the Islamic Resurgence. In those days – Malay-Muslim women did not don the tudung. P. Ramlee movies depicted Malays drinking booze and so on. What has happened today is that the Islamic Resurgence has divided entire societies along ethno-religious lines. Especially after 9/11.

Look at Malaysian and Indonesian societies. They have chronic problems because of this Islamic issue. There are many who doubt that Pakatan Rakyat can hold up because PAS and DAP are complete opposites of each other ! Some say that another Islamic incident is all it takes to split PAS and DAP apart.

I ask very tough and honest questions. Its all very easy today – to claim that one is loyal blah blah blah. Try upholding Lina Joy’s human right to apostasise from Islam. Lets see what happens.

The younger generation of Singaporean Muslims are very naive if they think that they can easily uphold Non-Muslim political interest. Very naive.

Anyways – thanks for your support. I am merely being honest here.

Regards
Alwi

frontman on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 10:41 pm 

Singaporeans here really do not feel the undercurrents of Malay/Muslim dissatisfation caused by discrimination.

Its just something waiting to go off.

There will be a lot of naysayers/denials too but those people are just helping to raise the potential of something happening.

Discrimination is something Malays/Muslims have encountered first hand in Singapore.

You can say it doesn’t exist, but then you’re really not an ostrich, right?

boing on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 11:20 pm 

Seems that the national pledge is nothing, but smokescreen. Put it this way, there was a report on TNP that the Malaysia air force has a Chinese female fighter pilot in its ranks. Would we ever see a Malay fighter pilot in Singapore, let alone a Malay in any rank or vocation in the Air Force ?

True Singaporean on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 11:53 pm 

//1) The Islamic Resurgence is a NEW phenomena. Malays of the pre-1970’s era were NOT very Islamically attached to begin with.P. Ramlee movies depicted Malays drinking booze and so on. //

ANSWER:So what? Your forefathers wore pig tails on arrival.Should the Malays demand Chinese of today should also wear pigtails?Likewise Chinese were mostly nominal Taoist or Buddhist.Today huge percentage of Chinese are evangelist Christians.Most of of ministers are Christians.Should we complain?—What craps are you spewing !

//2) I quote Mahathir – “those who say – forget race and religion – are either naives or knaves”..//

ANSWER:Malaysian Chinese voted en mass for Mahathir but PAP hater Dr.M.PAP loved Abdullah Badawi but Malaysian Chinese & Indians voted against him.Today LHL wife is seen holding Najib wife’s hand fondly.So who is in your hate list now?…. what crap are you spewing?

//There are many who doubt that Pakatan Rakyat can hold up because PAS and DAP are complete opposites of each other ! Some say that another Islamic incident is all it takes to split PAS and DAP apart.//

ANSWER:DAP came to power only because Malaysian Indians took to the streets.The moment DAP took power it dumped it’s Indian voters in favor of Chinese developers who were very much in cahoot with the very political party(gerakan) it defeated.Kg Buah Pala saga.Malaysian Indians already dumped DAP….again what crap are you spewing?

//) Do Conservative Muslims share the same values, world-view and aspirations – as the Chinese Non-Muslim majority in Singapore ?//

ANSWER;Does conservative Christians/Hindus or any conservative for that matter share the same values, world-view and aspirations – as the Chinese Non-Muslim majority in Singapore ?If you say so,PROVE IT.

Just remind yourself.You are neither a Malaysian nor a Indonesian.Let them take care of their own politics.Be a Singaporean and care for Singaporeans.

PeterL on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 12:04 am 

I have always advocate that race and religion are issues that are ULtra sensitive and should be handled with UTmost care.

Should discrimination per se exist I am not aware and definitely I am no ostrich.Having a Malay fighter pilot in Singapore or Generals as compared to Malaysia with Chinese female fighter pilot are not the yardstick to measure discrimination.There are far, far, more worse and thank God/Insyallah I am glad that Singapore does not practice that form of discrimination found elsewhere.

The two horrible Racial riots of 64 & 69 will always remind us that politicians and naive citizens for their selfish ends will
play this card without thought of the majority who seek peace and harmony to fulfill their selfish and cruel ways.

I pray that the riots of 64 & 69 will never happen again,

Dr Syed Alwi on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 4:25 pm 

Dear People,

Lets face it – the Malays in Singapore do not face as much discrimination as the Non-Malays in Malaysia. The NEP and other policies plus practices (like Ketuanan Melayu) are far more discriminatory in nature.

In the West, Muslim minorities are viewed to be Fifth Columnists.

So – if we look around the world – Singapore’s Malay-Muslims are far more fortunate than minorities elsewhere.

So what if you have a Malay General ? How does that affect your everyday life ? And yes – we DO – have a Malay General.

Give it time. Maybe another 20 – 40 years. This sort of ethno-religious issue takes time to deal with.

Best Regards & Merry Christmas
Dr Syed Alwi

jiangbao on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 5:33 pm 

Honestly, I rather trust a singaporean rather than the Northern communist hordes. I don even trust them enough to have them clean govt agencies. But my govt being blind…. thinks otherwise.